Surrey County Council has signed a contract that will transform the county's street lighting system, with the biggest roll out of revolutionary new energy saving technology in the country.

Overall the agreement is expected to save Surrey taxpayers at least £12 million.

This deal will see private sector consortium Skanska Laing installing bright white lights to replace the current inefficient orange glow street lamps. Individual lighting columns will be remotely controlled from a new control centre in Merrow, near Guildford. In the first five years of the contract all of the county's 89,000 lights will be upgraded – 70,000 being replaced and 19,000 refurbished. This will lead to savings of around 60,000 tonnes of carbon and 150 million kilowatt hours over the 25-year contract.

Key features of the deal include:

• The bright white lights are more effective than the existing orange ones
• The technology will be better for the environment thanks to increased energy savings and reduced carbon emissions. At present Surrey's street lights are programmed to come on and go off at set times in the day, so there are no opportunities to make energy savings. Under the new system lighting will be increased where it is most needed, and reduced where it is not – for example as the sun begins to rise in the morning
• Lights will be repaired more quickly and efficiently with the new remote monitoring technology

Dr Andrew Povey, Leader of Surrey County Council, said: "This deal is the right choice for Surrey because the benefits for residents are clear. Bright white lights managed by remote control will mean a more reliable system that will help people to feel safer. All this will cost less to run than if we were to maintain the county’s current ageing orange lights. This will deliver better value for money for taxpayers all round.

"In addition reduced light pollution and reduced energy consumption make this a better deal for the environment. This is in keeping with my pledge to protect the unique character of our county.

"I am committed to raising standards and working to achieve a new world class level in the services that we provide. I believe this deal signals that we are on our way to being the best that we can be."

(CD/BMcc)